Real estate & finance news highlights (Aug 12): More projects allowed for foreign ownership; U.S. housing loan payments slow down; multiple planning and project updates in Ho Chi Minh City and beyond
On the legal and market front, Ho Chi Minh City has added housing projects eligible for foreign ownership in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area, including Thu Thiem Zeit River and Empire City. Meanwhile, a separate development tied to consumer credit shows that, according to a Fed New York report, in Q2 the repayment performance for home and auto loans in the U.S. appeared to slow down, with added stress reported in the borrowing group. Related to capital flows and urban space development, the coverage also points to trends in financing and planning. A “time” financial hub is expected to function as a connector and catalyst for high-grade office demand, while some apartment-related content focuses on design choices that aim for cohesive linkage between functional areas, using neutral color palettes, consistent materials and integrated interior layouts. On the regional finance competitiveness angle, VIFC-HCMC is described as pursuing a “niche” positioning to leverage Vietnam’s capital deman...